Trade union officials have warned that progress on the review of band 5 nursing roles has been “unacceptably slow”, with some NHS boards yet to report any outcomes more than a year after the process began.

The review programme, which began in June 2024, was the final element of a commitment made by then-health secretary Humza Yousaf during 2023-24 Agenda for Change pay negotiations

It was intended to ensure band 5 nurses are appropriately recognised and paid for their skills and responsibilities.

Since the process began, more than 8,700 applications are now at various stages by nurses seeking to have their roles upgraded to band 6.

However, unions say some nurses continue to be put off by the lengthy and sometimes complicated job evaluation process, with the programme failing to gain the momentum they expected.

A lack of knowledge amongst managers – who are required to support applications – and the failure of some boards to properly resource job evaluation panels have, according to the unions, left many nurses who have applied waiting months to hear whether they have been successful.

Philip Coghill, Head of Pay, Terms and Conditions at the Royal College of Nursing Scotland, said the banding review was long overdue and hard won – but members are growing increasingly frustrated by the slow pace:

“The case seems pretty clear to us and, for those that have been evaluated, the big majority have been rebanded. It’s obvious evidence that the staff nurse role has been undervalued.

“But many others remain stuck in the system waiting for their case to be heard by the review panels. The pace of progress is unacceptably slow in many areas. 

“Band 5 nurses deserve the support of managers and employers to at least have their role reviewed as soon as possible now.”

 

 

According to recently published board papers, of 103 rebanding applications reviewed by NHS Lothian between the launch of the programme and July 2025, 64 staff were successfully rebanded to band 6.

Data shared to healthandcare.scot by UNISON and the Royal College of Nursing suggests similar or an even higher success rates in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Grampian, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Highland, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Orkney.

Data on job evaluation outcomes from other health boards is understood not to have been made available.

UNISON head of health Matt McLaughlin said both unions are now working together to identify patterns in the type of job roles most likely to be successful following an evaluation.

Both unions are also urging NHS boards to encourage all staff nurses at band 5 to participate in the rebanding process

Matt McLaughlin added:

“This is an important project that seeks to ensure that band 5 nurses are recognised for the extra skills, knowledge and experience that they have gained working in the modern NHS.

“It is therefore frustrating that some nurses don’t feel confident enough or supported by their employers to make an application.

“I would encourage anyone who feels that they are working above their pay grade to seek advice from their union.”

 

Read more: Nurses urged to apply for role re-evaluation; 

 

 

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